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 ====No.244 March 1955 Price 6d.==== ====No.244 March 1955 Price 6d.====
  
-|**Co-Editors**|Dot Butler, Boundary Road, Wahroonga (JW2208). Geof Wagg, 19 Mary Street,   Blacktown.|+|**Co-Editors**|Dot Butler, Boundary Road, Wahroonga (JW2208). Geof Wagg, 19 Mary Street, Blacktown.|
 |**Business Manager**|Alex Colley (XAl255)| |**Business Manager**|Alex Colley (XAl255)|
 |**Sales & Subs**|Jess Martin| |**Sales & Subs**|Jess Martin|
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 "Come to Rene's Party" said that whimsical folder with the strong Bean flavour. Sounded simple enough - such parties are always happening. Knowing Rene so long and well made it a must. I expected to find the usual roll up of a Club night - but just the reverse - only a few of the young fry were there. But it was a grand party of early members, surely the finest compliment Rene could wish to enjoy.- No reunion can I recall with such a warm glow of feeling - maybe t'was the beautiful mellowing of a quarter century. (Fashion note: light tinted hair seemed to be the mode.) As the Man in the Corner - given to observation - I'll say it was more than a birthday party - it was a demonstration of the real meaning of the S.B.W. Surely the founders never imagined the extent of the pairing to be, and the fruit thereof could be seen playing around in dozens.  Lucky kids all, to have a bushwalking background to grow up in. And what of the Roots' branch! A child of a child of a S.B.W. couple, all produced within the life of and the material of the Club. And what better testing ground could there be for the final long walk through life. Out in the Bushland the real person comes to the surface for all to see, mark and remember. From the first, and on every walk I've shared, I cannot recall one hot argument or disturbance, which, humanity being what it is, makes a fine performance. Better give the Bush the credit! "Come to Rene's Party" said that whimsical folder with the strong Bean flavour. Sounded simple enough - such parties are always happening. Knowing Rene so long and well made it a must. I expected to find the usual roll up of a Club night - but just the reverse - only a few of the young fry were there. But it was a grand party of early members, surely the finest compliment Rene could wish to enjoy.- No reunion can I recall with such a warm glow of feeling - maybe t'was the beautiful mellowing of a quarter century. (Fashion note: light tinted hair seemed to be the mode.) As the Man in the Corner - given to observation - I'll say it was more than a birthday party - it was a demonstration of the real meaning of the S.B.W. Surely the founders never imagined the extent of the pairing to be, and the fruit thereof could be seen playing around in dozens.  Lucky kids all, to have a bushwalking background to grow up in. And what of the Roots' branch! A child of a child of a S.B.W. couple, all produced within the life of and the material of the Club. And what better testing ground could there be for the final long walk through life. Out in the Bushland the real person comes to the surface for all to see, mark and remember. From the first, and on every walk I've shared, I cannot recall one hot argument or disturbance, which, humanity being what it is, makes a fine performance. Better give the Bush the credit!
  
-Back on the main track - the Rene affair. What a party! And what a place! - not to be sought afar, but right here at home in Rootsie's backyard, with enough bush, tracks and trimmings for a test walk and a rock climb! I had a couple of simmering hours watching 'em arrive. The setting was perfect - a track winding down to open suddenly on the camp site. And thus they dramatically appeared -  +Back on the main track - the Rene affair. What a party! And what a place! - not to be sought afar, but right here at home in Rootsie's backyard, with enough bush, tracks and trimmings for a test walk and a rock climb! I had a couple of simmering hours watching 'em arrive. The setting was perfect - a track winding down to open suddenly on the camp site. And thus they dramatically appeared - actually a mannikin parade of pals, some not seen for 20 years. Most of the cast of the Mouin affair were there, including Norm Coulton and Alan Rigby, the actual finders of the delectable quintette. Yea, even Harold Chardon, the inventor of modified Morse.
-actually a mannikin parade of pals, some not seen for 20 years. Most of the cast of the Mouin affair were there, including Norm Coulton and Alan Rigby, the actual finders of the delectable quintette. Yea, even Harold Chardon, the inventor of modified Morse.+
  
 Having socked us into a swamp at Paddy's party the weather, noting Rene, was kind. The moon watched us through the leafy curtain, but the unfortunate victims on the spit took most attention - could we actually surround and annihilate those yards of mutton? Having socked us into a swamp at Paddy's party the weather, noting Rene, was kind. The moon watched us through the leafy curtain, but the unfortunate victims on the spit took most attention - could we actually surround and annihilate those yards of mutton?
  
-There's lots of fun (and anguish) to be had watching mug carvers massacre elegant joints. No matter - our salivary creeks were in full flood and any chunk would do. Henry Woolfe would have had a fit at the doings. Don't ask me who Henry Woolfe was! I'll tell you. In the nineties Henry Woolfe, tall, fairish, spotless, had a smallgoods shop in George Street just below Liverpool Street. He served and carved near the front window, and always a crowd was to be seen watching and admiring his superbity. His judgment in cutting skinned goods in one go! Tick on the dot every time! And when he carved a ham (2/6 lb. then!!!!) he showed all the grace of a ballerina, with the surety of Athos. 'Tis said (by me) he could cut a slice so thin you could read a paper through it. AND - get this - he was official carver immaculate at all Government House functions, at the board - not down in the kitchen. Ah! gracious days! His window, like the tinkling bells of the old waxworks, was one of the sights of Sydney - lovable old Sydney. Yes, you've guessed right - the Henry Woolfe you see about the City is the identical original. And don't go writing to ask me who was Athos, 'cos I'll tell you now: He was the aristrocrat of Dumas' immortal three, and acknowledged the finest swordsman in Europe.+There's lots of fun (and anguish) to be had watching mug carvers massacre elegant joints. No matter - our salivary creeks were in full flood and any chunk would do. Henry Woolfe would have had a fit at the doings. Don't ask me who Henry Woolfe was! I'll tell you. In the nineties Henry Woolfe, tall, fairish, spotless, had a smallgoods shop in George Street just below Liverpool Street. He served and carved near the front window, and always a crowd was to be seen watching and admiring his superbity. His judgment in cutting skinned goods in one go! Tick on the dot every time! And when he carved a ham (2/6 lb. then!!!!) he showed all the grace of a ballerina, with the surety of Athos. 'Tis said (by me) he could cut a slice so thin you could read a paper through it. AND - get this - he was official carver immaculate at all Government House functions, at the board - not down in the kitchen. Ah! gracious days! His window, like the tinkling bells of the old waxworks, was one of the sights of Sydney - lovable old Sydney. Yes, you've guessed right - the Henry Woolfe you see about the City is the identical original. And don't go writing to ask me who was Athos, 'cos I'll tell you now: He was the aristocrat of Dumas' immortal three, and acknowledged the finest swordsman in Europe.
  
 Lemme see - was I at Rootsies? I was. About that feed - the tasters - gallons of 'em, were beautifully flavoured by tricks known to dieticians (did Wally show judgment). Came tea and trimmings, and then THE event: __The Cake__. Lemme see - was I at Rootsies? I was. About that feed - the tasters - gallons of 'em, were beautifully flavoured by tricks known to dieticians (did Wally show judgment). Came tea and trimmings, and then THE event: __The Cake__.
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 It was shaving time before tea that night, because we were being scolded for looking like tramps, so we lathered our faces and the blade hacked into our now tender. whiskers. Don was rewarded, with a cheek rub with Tine to prove how smooth his beardless face now was. It was shaving time before tea that night, because we were being scolded for looking like tramps, so we lathered our faces and the blade hacked into our now tender. whiskers. Don was rewarded, with a cheek rub with Tine to prove how smooth his beardless face now was.
  
-We crossed the Cobungra at 8.15 next morning and commenced the climb up to Mt. Loch. The weather was blowing a treat and clouds raced across the heavens at great speed. Mt. Feathertop lived up to its name, the top being clothed in soft white clouds. The ridge was long and steep, but quite good underfoot. From Mt. Loch to Mt. Hotham was unfortunately a road bash. Diamentina Hut was to have been our camp spot that night, but one look at it and we moved on, dropping  +We crossed the Cobungra at 8.15 next morning and commenced the climb up to Mt. Loch. The weather was blowing a treat and clouds raced across the heavens at great speed. Mt. Feathertop lived up to its name, the top being clothed in soft white clouds. The ridge was long and steep, but quite good underfoot. From Mt. Loch to Mt. Hotham was unfortunately a road bash. Diamentina Hut was to have been our camp spot that night, but one look at it and we moved on, dropping down a small gully to Diamentina Creek. We made camp at 12 midday. Please excuse our early camp, but it was New Year's Eve.
-down a small gully to Diamentina Creek. We made camp at 12 midday. Please excuse our early camp, but it was New Year's Eve.+
  
-Don suggested that for a little celebration we should have tea at the Chalet at Mt. Hotham. This suggestion was thought a wonderful idea by all. So at 3 p.m. we made ourselves look reasonably respectable and walked round the road leading to the Chalet. From the roadway the ridge, or Razorback as it is called, can be seen extending from Hotham to Mt. Feathertop, a distance of 6 miles. We soon reached the Chalet and the Manager was consulted by our Business Manager Don,  +Don suggested that for a little celebration we should have tea at the Chalet at Mt. Hotham. This suggestion was thought a wonderful idea by all. So at 3 p.m. we made ourselves look reasonably respectable and walked round the road leading to the Chalet. From the roadway the ridge, or Razorback as it is called, can be seen extending from Hotham to Mt. Feathertop, a distance of 6 miles. We soon reached the Chalet and the Manager was consulted by our Business Manager Don, who arranged the evening meal at a cost of 10/- per head. It was 4 p.m. and tea was to be served at 6.30 p.m, - 2 1/2 hours to fill in. Geof went back for Bev who had decided to rest instead of walking to the Chalet, meanwhile we other four took a walk along the road past the Chalet, returning by 5.45. Geof had just beaten us back.
-who arranged the evening meal at a cost of 10/- per head. It was 4 p.m. and tea was to be served at 6.30 p.m, - 2 1/2 hours to fill in. Geof went back for Bev who had decided to rest instead of walking to the Chalet, meanwhile we other four took a walk along the road past the Chalet, returning by 5.45. Geof had just beaten us back.+
  
-At 6.30 p.m. we were seated at a large table in the dining room, with Geoffrey placing on the table the mysterious little box he had carried all the trip. To our surprise it was a box of sweets, and very delicious too. The meal was most satisfying to our dried vegetable constitutions, the plates of cheese crackers diminishing rapidly before the soup. It was a real 3-course meal, supplenented  +At 6.30 p.m. we were seated at a large table in the dining room, with Geoffrey placing on the table the mysterious little box he had carried all the trip. To our surprise it was a box of sweets, and very delicious too. The meal was most satisfying to our dried vegetable constitutions, the plates of cheese crackers diminishing rapidly before the soup. It was a real 3-course meal, supplenented by the sweets from Geof's mysterious box.
-by the sweets from Geof's mysterious box.+
  
 A golden-red sunset lit the sky as we made our way back to our camp. By 9 p.m. we had a fire burning brightly for a brew. The darkness of the hillside was interrupted by the light of a torch as someone made his way down the slope towards us. It turned out to be one of the chaps who was building a ski-hut about 200 yards from where we were camped. "Like to come up to the hut for a little celebration" he asked. To this we all agreed, it being New Year's Eve. Midnight found us singing Auld Lang Syne and saying to our hosts that we really must be going. They saw our point of view, being ex-bushwalkers now turned to the pleasures of skiing and they sympathised with us. So we made our way down the slope to the tents in happy frame of mind, and sleep was soon upon us. A golden-red sunset lit the sky as we made our way back to our camp. By 9 p.m. we had a fire burning brightly for a brew. The darkness of the hillside was interrupted by the light of a torch as someone made his way down the slope towards us. It turned out to be one of the chaps who was building a ski-hut about 200 yards from where we were camped. "Like to come up to the hut for a little celebration" he asked. To this we all agreed, it being New Year's Eve. Midnight found us singing Auld Lang Syne and saying to our hosts that we really must be going. They saw our point of view, being ex-bushwalkers now turned to the pleasures of skiing and they sympathised with us. So we made our way down the slope to the tents in happy frame of mind, and sleep was soon upon us.
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 A reunion was held at the milk bar in Harrietville, and after teeing up transport for the Mt. Buffalo trip we made our way along the road looking for a side track to take us to the river. The eastern branch of the Ovans was only half a mile away and a spot was soon found on the river to camp. Earlier in the afternoon a thunderstorm had gathered giving us a shower for ten or fifteen minutes, but now as we camped the clouds seemed to melt away before us, revealing blue sky once again. It was the finale of our Bogong trip, and if Mt. Buffalo could offer us the same amount of enjoyment and picture taking as did the High Plains, then Mt. Buffalo here we come! A reunion was held at the milk bar in Harrietville, and after teeing up transport for the Mt. Buffalo trip we made our way along the road looking for a side track to take us to the river. The eastern branch of the Ovans was only half a mile away and a spot was soon found on the river to camp. Earlier in the afternoon a thunderstorm had gathered giving us a shower for ten or fifteen minutes, but now as we camped the clouds seemed to melt away before us, revealing blue sky once again. It was the finale of our Bogong trip, and if Mt. Buffalo could offer us the same amount of enjoyment and picture taking as did the High Plains, then Mt. Buffalo here we come!
  
 +=====Annual Swimming Carnival.=====
  
-                     ANNUAL SWIMMING CARNIVAL +Half a dozen or so young members camped at Lake Eckerslie on the Saturday night, but the main bulk of competitors arrived at irregular intervals on Sunday morningWe were sorry to see our President departing about 10 a.m., but Jim had an appointment with a tubful of nappies a priority on the list of most new fathers I'm told. That left us with no President past or present to win the Underwater swim, but it was won by maybe a President-to-be.
-                     ---------+
  
 +Everybody was happy to wait till Bill Henley turned up. He had been to Rene Brown's Birthday Barbecue the previous night and had missed his train connections, consequently did not arrive till after 11 a.m. People put in the time swimming and lazing on the sand, practising underwater swimming, or enticing a friendly little fish out of his rock hiding place with crumbs.
  
-     Half dozen or so young members camped at Lake Eckerslie on the +As soon as Bill arrived there was swift action and the first race the Men's Championship, was run off with half riverful of competitors. There were not so many in the Ladies' Race, but everyone who could swim put up an enthusiastic showing. Jenny was sad because she could find no one to gossip with her as she swam.
  
- Saturday nightbut the main bulk of competitors arrived at irregular +There were more men than lady starters for the Mandleberg Cupso lots were drawn and many unlucky moles eliminated through lack of partners. A bit of a problem arose when the race was won by Roy Bruggy and his partner, Rona Butler, a member of the S.B.W. by minus five years. However Bill ruled her a legitimate starter.
  
- intervals on Sunday morning. We were sorry to see our President +The lung power of some of the men in the underwater swim was little short of incredible. We can understand Kevin Ardill showing up among the winners, but how do you explain the fact that the best effort was made by one of the least vocal of Club members, the quietly spoken George Grey?
  
- departing about 10 a.m., but Jim had an app ointment with a tubful of +The Peanut Scramble came just in time, as lunch was overdue and folk were getting hungryEveryone went injust for the peanuts.
  
- nappies - priority on the list of most new fathers I tm toldThat +It was very satisfactory Swimming Carnival, ably conducted by Bill and KevinAppended are the results :-
  
- left us with no President past or present to win the Underwater swirri +|Men's C'Ship|1. Kevin Ardill|Ladies' C'ship|1. Grace Aird| 
 +| |2. Roy Bruggy| |2. Heather Joyce| 
 +| |3. Alan Walker| |3. Dot Butler| 
 +|Men's B'stroke|1. George Grey|Ladies' B'stroke|1. Grace Aird| 
 +| |2. Don Newis| |2. Dot Butler| 
 +| |3. Alan Walker| |3. Elsie Bruggy| 
 +|Mandleberg Cup|1. Rona Butler  - Roy Bruggy| | | 
 +| |2. Heather Joyce - Don Newts| | | 
 +| |3. Grace Aird     - Ken Meadows| | | 
 +|Long Plunge|1. Kevin Ardill|Underwater Swim.|1. George Grey| 
 +| |2. John de Bavay| |2. Alan Walker| 
 +| |3. Alan Walker| |3. Kevin Ardill| 
 +|Relay Race|1. The Ardill team| | |
  
- but it was won by maybe a President-to-be. +Peanut Scramble (Men) 1George Grey (39):(Ladies) 1Dot Butler (29)
-  +
-                                                          15.+
  
-    11,v1vuudy was happy to wait till Bill Henley turned up. He had  +Henley Cup: Kevin Ardill 7 pointsGrace Aird   6 1/2 points
-been to Rene Brown's Birthday Barbecue the crevious night and had  +
-missed his train connections, consequently did not arrive till after  +
-11 a.m. People put in the time swimming and lazing on the sand,  +
-prt_.4_sing underwater swimmingor enticing a friendly little fish  +
-out of his rock hiding place with crumbs.+
  
-    As soon as Bill arrived there was swift action and the first race  +=====The Infernal Combustion Engine=====
-the Ments Championship, was run off with half a riverful of competi-  +
-tors. There were not so many in the Ladies' Race, but everyone who  +
-could swim put up an enthusiastic showing. Jenny was sad because she  +
-could find no one to gossip with her as she swam.+
  
-    There were more men than lady starters for the Mandleberg Cup,  +or
-so lots were drawn and many unlucky moles eliminated through lack of  +
-partners. A bit of a problem arose when the race was won by Roy  +
-Bruggy and his partner, Rona Butler, a member of the S.B.W. by minus  +
-five years. However Bill ruled her a legitimate starter.+
  
-    The lung power of some of the men in the underwater swim was  +====The Joys Of Motoring.====
-little short of incredibleWe can understand Kevin Ardill showing  +
-up among the winners, but how do you explain the fact that the best +
-effort was made by one of the least vocal of Club members, the quietly  +
-spoken George Grey?+
  
-    The Peanut Scramble came just in time, as lunch was overdue arid:  +- Alex Colley.
-folk were getting hungry. Everyone went in, just for the Peanuts.+
  
-    It was very satisfactory Swimming Carnivalably conduc%ed  +Who is primarily to blame for it is obscure, but German named Otto is discredited with one of the basic ideas. He invented a means of compressing a mixture of air and gas in a cylinder, igniting it, and driving a piston with the resulting explosionThe invention is known as the Otto four stroke cycle, and the idea is simple enough. But to make it work, means had to be provided of mixing the air and gas thoroughly and in the right proportions. Electric sparks had to be generated and explode the mixture at the right instant. The heat generated had to be reduced or the engine would seize up. It had to be oiled or it would heat up and wear out in quick time.
-by Bill and KevinAppended are the results :-+
  
-EtnILILELLR1Kevin Ardill     Ladies1.212121E1Grace Aird +The resulting contraption was complex, noisy and dirtyIt sucked in good clean air and expelled it as carbon dioxide, oil fumes, poison gas and goodness knows what elseBut it didn't need bulky fuel and could usually be started in a few secondsFirst it was used in stationary engines, later to drive a "horseless carriage", aeroplane propellors, tractors and other machinesIt spread on to the roads, into the quiet countryside, into the air, until no place was remote enough to escape the "put-put" of the smaller engines or the roar of the larger onesForests, long inaccessible were laid open by bulldozer-made roads"Sportsmen", too lazy to walk far, could drive near to their victims.
-             2Roy Bruggy                     2Heather Joyce +
-             3. Alan Walker                    3. Dot But+
  
-Men's Bistroke1. George Grey   LadiesBfstroke. 1. Grace Aird +One of the effects of fast mechanical locomotion along roadways was that the relaxing and health giving pastime of walking along country roads became a thing of the past. This was partly because of the noise, dust, smell and danger of the whizzing vehicles, but perhaps more because people became obsessed with a craze for moving fast on wheels; whether there was any real need to be somewhere else; or whether the place reached was better than the one left, didn't matterWhat instinct is satisfied by movement, in cars I don't know, but at least it is not peculiar to man; most dogs love riding in carsTo many, fast movement for its own sake becomes an obsessionI have observed some 70 drivers on a reliability trial speeding one after another along a once quiet country road, raising clouds of dust and grit, and oblivious of some of the most beautiful scenery in the stateSome like doing this sort of thing for weeks on endWalking for pleasure is now confined mainly to bushwalkers who are regarded as peculiar, if not demented.
-        ----- 2Don Newis                          !..)ot Butler +
-               3Alan Walker                    3Elsie Bruggy+
  
-Mandleberg Cup., 1Rona Butler  - Roy Bruggy +The movement of a vehicle by means of the internal combustion engine introduced problems beyond the production of power; it had to be steered by a complex mechanism; on corners one back wheel had to be driven faster than the other; the jolting of iron tyres on roads, though endurable by the human frame, would soon put a complex engine out of action, hence pneumatic tyres, soft springs, shock absorbers to cushion the rebound, stabiliser bars and the restTo these were added other refinementssome usefulsome merely decorative according to the style of the dayIn order to harness the power of gasoline to move a person or persons on four wheels, a vehicle weighing a ton or more, costing a full year's earnings for most, and having some 4,000 parts, was necessary.
-               2Heather Joyce - Don Newts +
-               3Grace Aird     - Ken Meadows+
  
-Long; Plume 1Kevin Ardill Underwater Swim1George Grey +The vibration caused by the explosions in the cylinders, together with the jolting from the roads, were reduced as engines, suspension, tyres and roads improved, but they were never eliminatedHence the 4,000 parts, even if welded or bolted together, are always tending to work loose, crack or breakHeat, grit, air, water and other erosive elements are constantly at work on the sensitive partsIt is not therefore to be wondered that there is always something wrong with a motor for car and that, if it is to work at all, constant attention is necessaryThe things that stop it are seldom major breakages, except in accidentsA loose screw, a little bit of wear, a bit of dirt on contact points, or something too small to be noticed, as, for instance, a hairline crack in a bit of porcelain, will stop it as surely as a brick wall, and may take even a mechanic hours to discover.
-             2John de Bavay             --- 2Alan Walker +
-             3. Alan Walker                   3. Kevin Ardill+
  
-Relay Race 1. The Ardill team.+Let us imagine a newly fledged motorist, having invested years of savings or mortgaged his future earnings in acquiring an automobile, and having endured the tortures of learning to drive, setting forth to enjoy himselfHis driving will, of necessity, be done mainly at weekends, and he will probably yearn for the open countryThere are four direct routes he may take - The Princes, Hume, Western or Pacific Highways. Setting off along one of these routes he will, if statistically inclined, be reminded that there are some 700,000 vehicles registered in N.S.W., and that a good proportion of the owners have the same idea as himself. Hence his drive is not, as he may have imagined, a pleasant country excursion, but a constant vigil to avoid running into the car in front, being run into from behind, avoiding the ones who pass and "cut in", getting round large, slow moving vehicles without banging into an oncoming car, and so on. He will not have driven long before other statistics, and their cause, are impressed on his mind. If he keeps his eyes on the road, drives carefully and is constantly alert, he has a fair chance of avoiding an accident, providing he doesn't meet a drunk or a speedster on the wrong side of the road, or a vehicle out of control. He cannot look around and enjoy his surroundings. Unless he is a very, experienced driver he cannot even converse freely without risking that fraction of a second's reaction delay that could spell disaster. The trouble is that the driver is moving at a speed much faster than his intellect is designed to handle.
  
-Peanut Scramble (Men) 1George Grey (39):(Ladies) 1Dot Butler (29)+If there are passengers in the car they too will be under tension, particularly if they can driveIn their steel-encased confinement all are vibrated, jolted and swayed together. Tempers rise, and families nag, while the effort of concentrating above the hubbub adds to the driver's trials. Amongst friends, boredom is the first sign of strain, even though open skirmishing may be restrained.
  
-             HENLEY CUP:   Kevin Ardill 7 points +Perhaps, though, it is all worth while to reach some panorama or sylvan glade far from the city's turmoil. At every panorama there will be dozens of cars and hundreds of people. Seasoned motorists anticipate this, and I have often observed them burying their heads in newspapers on arrival at lookouts. Sylvan glades are all occupied by kiosks and tables, or littered with garbage. Perhaps our motorist decides to take a little bush track. If so he will find it lined 
-                           Grace Aird   62 " +
-  +
-                  THE INFERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE  +
-                               or +
-                      THE JOYS OP MOTORING. +
- +
-                                              . Alex Colley. +
- +
-     Who is primarily to blame for it is obscure, but a German named  +
-Otto is discredited with one of the basic ideas. He invented a means  +
-of compressing a mixture of air and gas in a cylinder, igniting it,  +
-and driving a piston with the resulting explosion. The invention is  +
-known as the Otto four stroke cycle, and the idea is simple enough.  +
-But to make it work, means had to be provided of mixing the air and  +
-gas thoroughly and in the right proportions. Electric sparks had to  +
-be generated and explode the mixture at the right instant. The heat  +
-generated had to be reduced or the engine would seize up. It had to  +
-be oiled or it would heat up and wear out in quick time. +
- +
-     The resulting contraption was complex, noisy and iirty. It  +
-sucked in good clean air and expelled it as carbon dioxide, oil fumes,  +
-poison gas and goodness knows what else. But it didn't need bulky  +
-fuel and could usually be started in a few seconds. First it was  +
-Lwed in stationary engines, later to drive a "horseless carriage",  +
-aeroplane propellors, tractors and other machines. It spread on to  +
-the roads, into the quiet countryside, into the air, until no .ou.ace  +
-was remote enough to escape the 'put-put" of the smaller engines or +
-the roar of the larger ones. Forests,long inaccessible were laid open  +
-by bulldozer-made roads. "Sportsmen", too lazy to walk far, could  +
-drive near to their victims. +
- +
-     One of the effects of fast mechanical locomotion along roadways  +
-was that the relaxing and health giving pastime of walking along  +
-country roads became a thing of the past. This was partly because of  +
-the noise, dust, smell and danger of the whizzing vehicles, but  +
-perhaps more because people became obsessed with a craze for moving  +
-fast on wheels; whether there was any real need to be somewhere else;  +
-or whether the place reached was better than the one left, didn't  +
-matter. What instinct is satisfied by movement, n cars I don't know,  +
-but at least it is not peculiar to man; most dogs love riding in  +
-cars. To many, fast movement for its own sake becomes an obsession. +
-I have observed some 70 drivers on a reliability trial speeding one  +
-after another along a once quiet country road, raising clouds of dust  +
-and grit, and oblivious of some of the most beautiful scenery in tge  +
-state. Some like doing this sort of thing far weeks on end. Walking  +
-for pleasure is now confined mainly to bushwalkers who are regarded  +
-as peculiar, if not demented. +
- +
-     The movement of a vehicle by means of the internal combustion  +
-engine introduced problems beyond the production of power; it had to  +
-be steered by a ca Alex mechanism; on corners one back wheel had to  +
-be rlriven faster than the other; the jolting of iron tyrea on roads,  +
-thou3h endurable by the human frame,"mould soon put a c:omDlex engine  +
-out of action, hence pneumatic tyres, soft springs, shock absorbers  +
-to cushion the rebound, 'stabiliser bars and the rest. lo then, were +
-added other refinements, some useful, some merely decorative according  +
-to the style of the day. In order to harness the power of gasoline +
-  o move a person or persons on four wheels, a vehicle weighing a ton +
-  +
-                              17. +
-or more, costing a full year's earnings for most, and having some  +
-4,000 parts, was necessary. +
- +
-   The vibration caused by the explosions in the cylinders, togethe  +
-with the jolting from the roads, were reduced as engines, suspension,   +
-tyres and, roads improved, but they were never eliminated. Hence the  +
-4,000 parts, even if welded or bolted together, are always tending to   +
-work loose, crack or break. Heat, grit, air, water and other erosive  +
-elements are constantly at work on the sensitive parts. It is not  +
-tllerefore to be wondered that there is always sciaething wrong with a  +
-ins for car and that, if it is to work at all, constant attention is  +
-necessary. The things that Stop it are seldom major breakages, except   +
-in accidents. A loose screw, a little bit of wear, a Mt of dirt +
-on contact points, or something too small to be noticed, as, for  +
-instance, a hairline crack in a bit of porcelain, will stop it as  +
-surely as a brick wall, and may take even a mechanic hours to discover +
- +
-   Let us imagine a newly fledged motorist, having invested years of  +
-savings or mortgaged his future earnings in acquiring an automobile,  +
-and having endured the tortures of learning to drive, setting for +
-to enjoy himself. His driving will, of necessity, be done mainly at  +
-weekends, and he will probably yearn for the open country. There are  +
-four direct routes he may take - The Princes, Hume, Western or  +
-Pacific Highways. Setting off along one of these routes he will, if  +
-statistically inclined, be reminded that there are some 700,000  +
-vehicles registered in N.S.W., and that a good proportion of the  +
-owners have the same idea as himself. Hence his drive is not, as he  +
-may have imagined, a pleasant country excursion, but a constant vigil   +
-to avoid running into the car in front, "being an into from behind,  +
-avoiding the ones who pass and cut in , getting round large, slow  +
-moving vehicles without banging into an oncoming car, and so on. He  +
-will not have driven long before other statistics, and their cause,  +
-are impressed on. his mind. If he keeps his eyes on the road, drives  +
-carefully and is constantly alert, he has a fPir chance of avoiding  +
-an accident, providin he doesn't meet a drunk or a speedster on the  +
-wrong side of the road, or a vehicle out of control. He cannot look  +
-around and enjoy his surroundings. Unless he is a very, experienced  +
-driver he cannot even converse freely without risking that fraction  +
-of a second's reaction delay that could spell disaster. The trouble  +
-is.that the driver is moving at a speed much faster than his  +
-intellect is designed to handle. +
- +
-   If 'there are passengers in the car they too will be vender  +
-tension, particularly if they can drive. In their steel.-encased  +
-confinement all are vibrated, jolted and swayed together. Tempers  +
-rise, and families nag, while the effort of concentrating above thp  +
-hubbub adds to the driver's trials. Amongst friends, boredom is the  +
-first sign of strain, even though open skirmishing may be restrained. +
- +
-   Perhaps, though, it is all worth while to reach some panorama +
-or sylvan glade far from the city's turmoil. At every panorama there  +
-will be dozens of cars and hundreds of people. Seasoned motorists  +
- anticipate this, and I have often observed them burying their heads  +
-in newspapers on arrival at look-uts. Sylvan glades are all occupied  +
-by kiosks and tables, or littered with garbage. Perhaps cur mot orb  +
- decides to take a little bush track. If so he will find it lined +
 with bottles, tins and other rubbish. with bottles, tins and other rubbish.
-  
-L8. 
-   But it is on the journey back that the motorist is truly sorry.  
-He and his fellows, determined to get the thing over as quickly as  
-possible, speed along the four highways, and, quite frequently,  
-congeal into an unbroken queue on the outskirts of the city. Miles  
-of progress in short crawls may ensue as darkness falls. 
- 
-   Then come holidays, and he is free to roam the roads. Setting  
-off with caravan or tent, he heads for the open spaces. Surely along  
-those vast distances good campsites abound. If our motorist is a  
-bushwalker he is in for a shock. Bybushwalking standards there are  
-no good campsites. Every otherwise pleasant site is already occupied,  
-littered with rubbish, or camped out. Private property, though  
-usually available oh request to bushwalkers, is usually closed to  
-motorists who must camp with their cars near the roadway. 
- 
-   During the week traffic is often sparse enough to allow the   
-motorist to relax - provided he can stop worrying about those 4,000  
-parts. Unfortunately, as the distance between 'phones and garages  
-increases he will become ever more aware of them; it is surprising  
-how sensitive the ear becomes to squeaks, rattles, whine3 and niggles  
-thc.o may herald the loosening or imminent breakdown of an important  
-part, That hiss - was it a tyre subsiding, or a bit Nf we a road?  
-On long journeys the tension may be lower, but it can be aumulative. 
- 
-   From the foregoing it may be construed that I don't own a car.  
-This is correct. I have a vehicle, but even the Transilorb- Department  
-doesn't call it a car. It rs7=rever, well equipped for modern  
-traffic. In front there is no flimsy chrome wafer to serve as a  
-burner, but a large steel girder. The back has no bumper, being  
-mainly flat steel plating from which a flange projects horizontally  
-at mudguard level. The lower bodywork is of aluminium which bends  
-easily both inwards and outwards, and, however much pain': s removed,  
-it will not rust. It has a canvas hood (like a covered waggon) which  
-cannot be washed or polished. Safe speeds are ensured by the n-ise  
-of the engine, which emits a high pitched whine at anything over 
-40 m.p.h. and at lower speed gives the passengers the illusion of   
-speed without its dangers. The pringing is bad, the seats upright,  
-and upholstery meagre.' This assures that we never motor for the  
-alleged pleasure of it, and that neither of the regular passengers  
-will ever suggest a prolonged tour. 
- 
- 
-            THE LAIRD BARBECUE. 
  
-                        Dot Butler.+But it is on the journey back that the motorist is truly sorry. He and his fellows, determined to get the thing over as quickly as possible, speed along the four highways, and, quite frequently, congeal into an unbroken queue on the outskirts of the city. Miles of progress in short crawls may ensue as darkness falls.
  
-   We think the excuse for the party was the fact that Ross has  +Then come holidays, and he is free to roam the roads. Setting off with caravan or tent, he heads for the open spaces. Surely along those vast distances good campsites abound. If our motorist is bushwalker he is in for a shock. By bushwalking standards there are no good campsites. Every otherwise pleasant site is already occupied, littered with rubbish, or camped out. Private property, though usually available on request to bushwalkers, is usually closed to motorists who must camp with their cars near the roadway.
- recently moved into new house at Gymea Bay.+
  
-   We met in mass quantity under the electric clock at Central at  +During the week traffic is often sparse enough to allow the motorist to relax - provided he can stop worrying about those 4,000 partsUnfortunatelyas the distance between 'phones and garages increases he will become ever more aware of them; it is surprising how sensitive the ear becomes to squeaksrattles, whines and niggles that may herald the loosening or imminent breakdown of an important part. That hiss - was it tyre subsiding, or a bit of wet road? On long journeys the tension may be lower, but it can be cumulative.
- 7 per:I" then emigrated to the platform and caught our t2aill. We  +
- covipletel5i.filled one compartment, but were unfortunately invaded +
- an inebriated gent who lurched all over us and sang fol. us in a  +
- rattr.!cs bellow as far as Hurstville. At length we cculd bear it no  +
- longer and led him off by the arm to the adjoining compa'r=ent. Sad  +
- to relate, he chose to fall over two or three times in tl.ansitvtich  +
- didn't help army. +
-  +
-    At length we emerged and stepped out at a smart pace for ,a'cer  +
-suburbia and the Laird domicile. Before long some 40 odd bods had  +
-arrived. The Admiral took charge of the bar and dispensed beer in a  +
-higbly professional manner to all takersWhile Dave and Dot, who hav:e  +
-now some sort of a reputation as fruit punch concoctorswere set the  +
-job of producing a bowl of same. Meanwhile iolk milled around and  +
-played quoits or hurled couple of medicine balls furiously at each  +
-other. The little dog called Harleywho was intended to be a 'boxer  +
-but turned out to be a dachshund and goodness knows wh;it ese, bounded  +
-madly in fifty directions at once chasing the ball, baing at the  +
-highest pitch of his lungs, and a good time was had by all.+
  
-    The cooking of the slabs of steak and sausages was a'masterpiece  +From the foregoing it may be construed that I don't own car. This is correct. I have a __vehicle__, but even the Transport Department doesn't call it a car. It is, however, well equipped for modern traffic. In front there is no flimsy chrome wafer to serve as a bumper, but a large steel girder. The back has no bumper, being mainly flat steel plating from which a flange projects horizontally at mudguard level. The lower bodywork is of aluminium which bends easily both inwards and outwards, and, however much paint is removed, it will not rustIt has a canvas hood (like a covered waggon) which cannot be washed or polished. Safe speeds are ensured by the noise of the enginewhich emits high pitched whine at anything over 40 m.p.h. and at lower speed gives the passengers the illusion of speed without its dangers. The pringing is bad, the seats upright, and upholstery meagre. This assures that we never motor for the alleged pleasure of it, and that neither of the regular passengers will ever suggest a prolonged tour.
-of ingenuityA wire bed frame was erected over the fire, a. sheet of  +
-small mesh wire-netting spread on top to prevent the sausages falling  +
-throughthen all the meat was laid on and cooked to a turn in about +
-20 minutes - a much better method that spitting the beast whole and  +
-taking ten hours to render it to cinders outside while the inside  +
-remains red raw.+
  
-    The eating and festivities continued till 2 a.m. when the party  +=====The Laird Barbecue.=====
-took to its sleeping bags under a large canvas which Ross father  +
-spread over the outsize rotary clothes hoist. Morning revealed to  +
-the astonished neighbours slumbering bodies by the doten. As soon as  +
-Geoffrey awoke there was no sleep for anyone any more, and in self  +
-defence they got up for breakfast. Some folk brought their own, and +
-the rest were fed from the communal supply of Cornflakes blackberries  +
-io'_nt.; sugar and cream.+
  
-    Then Brian tried to leave to go home. Stitt was going to drive  +Dot Butler.
-him to the station per motor bike. Oh, how that poor boy sufced!  +
-First they took his bag away and hid it. Then he somehow regained  +
-possession and was making a dash for the motor-bike he was seized bag  +
-and all and carried bodily out to the back lawn again. So Peter got  +
-an offsider to open the side gates and drove in to rescue the victim.  +
-Unfortunate move! Goof now padlocked the gate and they were prison-  +
-en:3 A kind-hearted Mr. Laird gave Brian the key, and at the  +
-psychological moment he frantically fumbled open the gates and chey  +
-were away.+
  
-    The remainder of the party now went down to the local creek for  +We think the excuse for the party was the fact that Ross has recently moved into a new house at Gymea Bay.
-a swim. As we followed the creek dawn through the bush we were  +
-suddenly confronted by a ferocious gentleman with a black stubble on  +
-his chin, who forbade our further passage. I have heard some unusual  +
-complaints levelled at walkers, but never one to equal his for sheer +
-amazing incredible inventiveness! I would blush to have to record, it  +
-so I wonft. Seeing he was out numbered 20 to one it hardly seemed  +
-cricket to surge past him regardless, so we retraced our steps to the  +
-other side of the creek and continued' on to the swimming pool. A  +
-swim, then back for lunch. (Poor Mrs. Laird, can't she get rid of her  +
-guests!) A quarter of a mile from hone a most appetising smell  +
-suggesting roast dinner assailed our nostrils. "And we're going back  +
-to cold left-over sausages and watermelon". We went into the kitchen  +
-and behold the delicious odour belonged right there - Mrs.,Laird had  +
-built the remains into a really remarkable goulash! When we stand  +
-round with our mouths full thanking Ross for the really super party +
-we must remember to congratulate him especially on his happy choice  +
-of parents. +
-  +
-                  "TENTS MOMENTS"+
  
 +We met in mass quantity under the electric clock at Central at 7 p.m., then emigrated to the platform and caught our train. We completely filled one compartment, but were unfortunately invaded by an inebriated gent who lurched all over us and sang for us in a raucous bellow as far as Hurstville. At length we could bear it no longer and led him off by the arm to the adjoining compartment. Sad to relate, he chose to fall over two or three times in transit, which didn't help any.
  
 +At length we emerged and stepped out at a smart pace for outer suburbia and the Laird domicile. Before long some 40 odd bods had arrived. The Admiral took charge of the bar and dispensed beer in a highly professional manner to all takers, while Dave and Dot, who have now some sort of a reputation as fruit punch concoctors, were set the job of producing a bowl of same. Meanwhile folk milled around and played quoits or hurled a couple of medicine balls furiously at each other. The little dog called Harley, who was intended to be a boxer 
 +but turned out to be a dachshund and goodness knows what ese, bounded madly in fifty directions at once chasing the ball, being at the highest pitch of his lungs, and a good time was had by all.
  
-Are our past tents better than our present, tents?  +The cooking of the slabs of steak and sausages was a masterpiece of ingenuityA wire bed frame was erected over the firea sheet of small mesh wire-netting spread on top to prevent the sausages falling through, then all the meat was laid on and cooked to a turn in about 20 minutes - a much better method than spitting the beast whole and taking ten hours to render it to cinders outside while the inside remains red raw.
-Well, we often see an old timer bring in a tent  +
-h3 bought back in t37 and reckon "they aren't as +
-good these days" Well, of course only time will  +
-tell, but we have always endeavoured to keep the  +
-high quality and venture to say that our present  +
-tents will be spoken of just as proudly in the  +
-future.+
  
-Right now we have small stock of the latest and  +The eating and festivities continued till 2 a.m. when the party took to its sleeping bags under a large canvas which Ross' father spread over the outsize rotary clothes hoistMorning revealed to the astonished neighbours slumbering bodies by the dozenAs soon as Geoffrey awoke there was no sleep for anyone any more, and in self defence they got up for breakfastSome folk brought their own, and the rest were fed from the communal supply of Cornflakesblackberriesicing sugar and cream.
-most wonderful tent cloth we have ever seenThe  +
-cloth is called "Wyncol" and was specially made for  +
-the successful Everest expedition tentsA mixture  +
-of nylon and cotton it will resist winds up to +
-100 m.p.h. and is waterproof while still retaining  +
-its "breathing" qualitiesi.e.it will not sweat +
-Now just get out the smelling salts while I quote +
-a few prices :-+
  
-    Two Man "A"  71 x 5t           202+Then Brian tried to leave to go homeStitt was going to drive him to the station per motor bikeOh, how that poor boy suffered! First they took his bag away and hid itThen he somehow regained possession and was making a dash for the motor-bike he was seized bag and all and carried bodily out to the back lawn againSo Peter got an offsider to open the side gates and drove in to rescue the victimUnfortunate move! Geof now padlocked the gate and they were prisonersA kind-hearted MrLaird gave Brian the key, and at the psychological moment he frantically fumbled open the gates and they were away.
-    Glen 6'6 x 4t wall tent ...    20.17. 3 +
-    Era 7t x 5' wall tent          25.196.+
  
-Blimey! What is it lined with, gold? Wellno,  +The remainder of the party now went down to the local creek for a swim. As we followed the creek down through the bush we were suddenly confronted by a ferocious gentleman with a black stubble on his chinwho forbade our further passage. I have heard some unusual complaints levelled at walkers, but never one to equal his for sheer amazing incredible inventiveness! I would blush to have to record, it so I won'tSeeing he was out numbered 20 to one it hardly seemed cricket to surge past him regardless, so we retraced our steps to the other side of the creek and continued on to the swimming pool. A swimthen back for lunch. (Poor Mrs. Laird, can'she get rid of her guests!) A quarter of a mile from home a most appetising smell suggesting roast dinner assailed our nostrils. "And we're going back to cold left-over sausages and watermelon". We went into the kitchen and behold the delicious odour belonged right there - Mrs. Laird had built the remains into a really remarkable goulash! When we stand round with our mouths full thanking Ross for the really super party we must remember to congratulate him especially on his happy choice of parents.
-but it is at least a golden colour and would make +
-a tent that would last for generationsJust think  +
-of Mr. Laird patting his grandson on the back -  +
-"YesRoss III, I bought that tent back in 155 but  +
-they aren'as good these days".+
  
-                         a..+====="Tents Moments"=====
  
-                    PADDY PALL IN,+Are our past tents better than our presenttents? Well, we often see an old timer bring in a tent he bought back in '37 and reckon "they aren't as good these days" Well, of course only time will tell, but we have always endeavoured to keep the high quality and venture to say that our present tents will be spoken of just as proudly in the future.
  
-                 LIGETWEIGHT CAMP GEAR+Right now we have a small stock of the latest and most wonderful tent cloth we have ever seen. The cloth is called "Wyncol" and was specially made for the successful Everest expedition tents. A mixture of nylon and cotton it will resist winds up to 100 m.p.h. and is waterproof while still retaining its "breathing" qualities, i.e., it will not sweat. Now just get out the smelling salts while I quote a few prices :-
  
-              201 Castlereagh Street, Sydney+|Two Man "A" 7' X 5'|£20.2.6| 
 +|Glen 6'6 x 4' wall tent|£20.17.3| 
 +|Era 7' x 5' wall tent|£25.19.6|
  
-                      BM2685. +Blimey! What is it lined with, gold? Well, no, but it is at least a golden colour and would make a tent that would last for generations. Just think of Mr. Laird patting his grandson on the back - "Yes, Ross III, I bought that tent back in '55 but they aren't as good these days".
- +
  
 +Paddy Pallin, Lightweight Camp Gear, 201 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. BM2685.
195503.1453679697.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/01/25 10:54 by tyreless

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